CVIM Senior Scientist
Salary: £40,000 - £42,500
Hours: 37 hours per week
Employment Type: Fixed Term/Full Time
Contract Length: Fixed-term contract until August 2027
Closing Date: 12 March 2026
The Pirbright Institute
The Pirbright Institute delivers world-leading research to understand, predict, detect and respond to viral disease outbreaks. We study viruses of livestock that are endemic and exotic to the UK, including zoonotic viruses, by using the most advanced tools and technologies to understand host-pathogen interactions in animals and arthropod vectors. Our major strength in understanding the immune systems of livestock provides a platform to control current diseases and respond to emerging threats. This important research would not be possible without the proportionate use of animals, which are integral to the development of new disease control measures such as vaccines and diagnostics. We have an establishment-wide commitment to the 3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement), high standards of animal welfare, a culture of care and openness.
Our Institute is made up of a dynamic and vibrant community of staff covering a diverse set of chosen fields, backgrounds and experience. We all play a crucial role in furthering the Institute’s aspirations, advancing the frontiers of science and knowledge through our excellent scientific research, knowledge sharing and contribution; with a real focus in improving the world in which we live. Our outlook is always balanced by our strong sense of purpose, values and behaviours and an unwavering commitment to a ‘one Institute’ approach.
Organisation position and purpose
The Centre for Veterinary vacine Innovation and Manufacturing (CVIM) at The Pirbright Institute (TPI) has been recently established to help meet an unmet global need for livestock vaccines. CVIM offers an exciting opportunity to bridge the gaps between research, expertise in process development, and manufacturing of innovative vaccines for neglected, zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases of livestock. The selected candidate will be expected to support research and development (R&D) activities of CVIM and will join the CVIM process development team and be supervised by the Process Development and Facility Lead. The advertised role provides a unique opportunity to develop new scientific and technical skills across a range of vaccine platforms and to engage with collaborators and industry.
Main duties and responsibility
The successful candidate will join a highly skilled team developing veterinary vaccines using a range of technology platforms, and will focus on the evaluation of RNA as a cost-effective vaccine platform for application in livestock. The role will involve supporting all stages of RNA vaccine development, including RNA construct design, in vitro transcription (IVT) and expression analysis in cell lines, as well as formulation of RNA candidates, quality control and evaluation of immunogenicity. This role offers a unique opportunity to join a skilled team of scientists, to work in The Pirbright Institute’s state-of-the-art high containment facilities and to develop expertise in next-generation RNA vaccine platforms. The work will incorporate methods, quality assurance and good laboratory practices (GLP).
- To support R&D activities and projects conducted within CVIM.
- To assist in the development of new upstream and downstream processes suitable for the development and scale-up of new veterinary vaccines.
- To assist in the assessment of antigen production and quality assurance.
- To prepare reference antigens and perform serology assays using vaccinate sera.
- To incorporate good laboratory practice (GLP) to a compatible standard to that used during the development of commercial vaccines by major manufacturers.
- To assist in work towards GMP accreditation.
- To participate in training necessary for CVIM activities.
- This job description is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The jobholder will carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by his/her line manager. The job description and personal specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of The Pirbright Institute.